Lucia Malam

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Share the story of why you chose your major.
After starting off on the business & marketing route, I realized that studying numbers wasn’t in the cards for me. After taking a few Soc. classes, I found out that communication studies offered courses that were cross-listed in both areas. That’s when I realized I could also apply my creative side to these two fields and pursue a career in Advertising. Communication studies ended up being the perfect mix of my three interests: Social studies, marketing, and pop culture.

At Michigan, I spent most of my time outside the classroom…
Either at a work-study job (worked at the Career Center), studying at Espresso Royale, late nights at Pizza House or tailgating in the fall.

What story stands out to you in your first year on the job?
Some of my peers felt that they were “above” doing the entry-level logistical work that is expected from someone straight out of college in the Ad industry. The biggest lesson I learned that year was that if you build a strong foundation, take your job seriously and realize how important you can truly make yourself (at any stage in your career), you will be taken seriously and be given opportunities. Being great at the bottom of the totem pole will make you even better when you reach the top.

What’s next in your story? (next steps, future plans)
I’m currently in my second job out of college, and plan to stick around for a while. I love the field I’m in, and plan on staying with it. I just got married a few months ago so I think I’m done with the big changes for now! In the future, I’d like to gain more experience with new clients and potentially move to California.

What is one thing every student should have on their “career to-do” list?
Make yourself NEEDED on your team. The best advice I ever got was to make it my daily goal to contribute something that day that would make me an integral and irreplaceable part of the team.